WebWork is an online homework system that is used in most Calculus I and Calculus II sections at Columbia. Many students find Webwork an extremely useful tool to help their understanding, since the system informs them immediately if their answer is wrong at which point they have an opportunity to try again.
To get started go to
Webwork at Columbia, and to find out more see the questions below.
Student FAQ
Instructor FAQ
Student FAQ
Q: How do I access Webwork?
A:
If your course uses Webwork then you will be sent an email with your username and password. These emails are usually sent within the first two weeks of semester.
To log on to WebWork at Columbia, just go to:http://www.math.columbia.edu/webwork2 and click on the link corresponding to your class.
Note for Barnard Students: Webwork can only send email to you Columbia email address. If you want to have this email forwarded to your Barnard account then this can be done at http://uni.columbia.edu/.
Q: Is there any penalty to getting an answer wrong?
A:
No. If your answer is wrong you can try again as many times as you like up until the deadline. There is no penalty for the number of times you get an answer wrong. However guessing is not a good use of your time.
Q: I know I have the answer correct, but webwork tells me it is wrong. What should I do?
A:
In nearly all cases if Webwork says an answer is incorrect then it is incorrect. The most common reasons for this are:
- You have made a mathematical mistake. Go through your solution carefully. If you still cannot find your mistake then visit the math helproom, or use your instructor's office hours.
- You have made an error in typing your answer into Webwork: Use the "Preview" button and Webwork will display the answer you have entered in a form that is easier to read. Check this carefully, especially for any missing parentheses.
Q: Do I have to "submit" my problem set before the deadline?
A:
No. Webwork records your answers each time you type them in. All that matters it that you have entered your answers before the deadline.
Q: How do I find out more about how to enter my answers?
A:
When you log on to Webwork there is a Tutorial that will teach you how to enter your answers. Also here is a
list of functions that Webwork understands.
Q: It seems that each student is getting a different set of problems. Is this a bug?
A:
This is not a bug. Each student is given a problem set that differs slightly from others. This is a useful feature of Webwork as it prevents copying. You are welcome to work with your classmates on Webwork problems, but each student will have to type in a slightly different answer.
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Instructor FAQ
Q: Who is responsible for handling problems with WebWork?
A:
There should be two Webwork TAs, one for Calculus I and another for Calculus II.
You should contact them with any questions and to get help setting up the course properly at the beginning of the semester. Problems they are unable to resolve should go to Peter Woit (woit@math.columbia.edu).
Students who are having trouble doing their homework on WebWork should contact the TA for the course, and there should be a link on the course site allowing them to e-mail the TA. If the TA cannot resolve the student's problem, it should be forwarded to the appropriate course manager to look into.
Q: Where can I find more documentation about running a WebWork course?
A:
The main WebWork site has a web-page that is very useful for instructors, called
A Day In The Life Of A Webwork2 Professor.
Q: How do I send out an email to students with their username and password?
A:
- Select Instructor Tools; Email
- Select "Open" default.msg
- Select Send to ; All Students in Course
- Select "Send Email"
Q: How do I create Problem Sets?
A:
Create a new problem set
- Select Instructor Tools; Library Browser
- In the textbox after "Create a new set in this course" type in the name of the problem set (e.g. "Problem Set 1").
- Select "Create a new set in this course"
Add problems to the set
- Select Instructor Tools; Library Browser
- Select the problem set from the the dropbox after "Add problems to Target Set"
- Select "Set Definition Files"
- Select the relevant set definition file from the textbox after "Browse from"
- Select "View Problems"
- Select "Mark All for Adding"
- Select "Update Set"
Note: After you have created problem sets you still have to (1) set the correct deadline for that problem set and (2) assign students to that problem set.
Q: How do I set or modify deadlines for problem sets
A:
To set a deadline for a problem set once it has been created or to modify a deadline for a whole class:
- Select Instructor Tools; Hmwk Set Editor
- Select Edit -> and select "all sets" from the drop down box
- Select "Take Action!"
- You can now edit the deadlines.
- Select "Save changes"
Note: Webworks is fussy about the date format. It has to be of the form "01/06/2007 at 06:57pm"
Q: How do I assign problem sets to students?
A:
- Select Instructor Tools; Hmwk Set Editor. There should now be a table with all the relevant problem sets. If this table is empty you may need to create problem sets.
- In the relevant row of the table Select the entry under "Edit assigned Users"
- Select "Assign to all current users"
Q: How do I extend a deadline for a specific student?
A:
-
Select Instructor Tools; Classlist Editor
- Find the row for the relevant student. Click on the entry under "Assigned Sets" which will look something like "3/3".
- Edit the deadlines and click "Save changes"
Q: How do I extend a deadline for the whole class?
A:
- Select Instructor Tools; Hmwk Sets Editor
- In the relevant row of the table select the Pencil Icon under the "Edit Set Data" column.
- Change the deadline and select "Save changes" and "Take Action!".
Q: How do I get copies of the student scores at the end of the semester?
A:
- Select Instructor Tools; Scoring Tools
- Select all the Problem sets
- Select "Score selected set(s) and save to"
- Download the link which will look something like "CalcII-Ross_totals.csv"
Note: It is currently not possible (or at least not easy) to update this information into the Gradebook on courseworks.
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